Plan Your Stay

By Air: Airports in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Azores. Information here.
By Train: “Comboios de Portugal”. Includes connections to Vigo, Madrid and Paris.
By Bus: National Express Bus Network “Rede Nacional de Expressos” is found here.
Taxis: Network that serves the whole country. Other services like UBER, Bolt and Free Now available.
Metro: Lisbon and Porto from 6am to 1am.
Bicycles and transport-sharing programmes available.

The Euro. In 2002 Portugal joined the group of 19 Member-states of the European Union that adopted the Euro as their official currency.

The number for emergencies is 112. The call is free of cost and can be made at any time and place in the country.

National healthcare system ranks 12^th worldwide in terms of quality (World Health Organisation).

National Health Service Hospitals and Health Centres listed here. Network of Public and Private health services are found here.

EU countries nationals, plus Iceland,  Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland: European Health Insurance Card.

Helpline 24/7, “Saúde 24”: 808242424.

Banks: 08h30-15h (Monday to Friday)

Post Offices: 09h-18h (Monday to Friday)

Shopping Centres: 10h-23h (Every day)Traditional

Commerce: 10h-19h (Monday to Saturday)

Chemists: 09h-19h (Monday-Friday). For weekends and evening opening hours check here.

There are public phone booths and prepaid telephone cards available in kiosks. Commmunication service providers offer several combinations, which include TV, Mobile Phones and Internet.

In Portugal the voltage used is 230/400V, with a 50Hz frequency. The electricity plugs follow the EU regulations.

A tax number is acquired through our National Tax Authorities, and it may be necessary to open a bank account or contract some services.

We drive on the right side of the road. A driving license is issued starting at 18 years of age (after undergoing written and practical exams).

Documentation needed: Personal ID, Driving Licence, Insurance Certificate, and Property Registration of the Vehicle or equivalent.

The use of the safety belt is obligatory for all seats. The use of mobile phones while driving is forbidden, except if using hand free devices.

National Holidays:
New Year - 1 Jan / Freedom – 25 Apr
Labour – 1 May / Portugal  – 10 Jun
Assumption Feast – 15 Aug
Establishment of the Republic – 5 Oct
All Saints – 1 Nov
Restauration of the Independence – 1 Dec
Immaculate Conception – 8 Dec / Xmas – 25 Dec
Moveable Holidays: Good Friday; Corpus Christi
Optional Holidays: Carnival Tuesday